The Ajmer Sharif Deg is a community kitchen located within the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. The kitchen serves free meals to anyone who visits the Dargah Sharif, regardless of their background or beliefs. The tradition of serving free meals at the Ajmer Sharif Deg dates back to the 12th century, when the founder of the Chishti Sufi order, Moinuddin Chishti, started the practice of feeding the poor and needy in the community.
The Ajmer Sharif Deg operates 24/7, 365 days a year, and is run entirely by volunteers who come from different parts of the country. The kitchen has the capacity to serve up to 1,25,000 people in a day, and during the annual Urs festival, it serves meals to more than 2,50,000 people. The kitchen is funded through donations from devotees and well-wishers, and the langar is managed by a dedicated department called Anjuman-e-Sharief.
Also Read : Ajmer Hotel Near Dargah
The langar serves a vegetarian menu that includes dal, rice, chapatis, vegetables, and sweets. The food is prepared in large cauldrons or degs, which are heated over wood fires. The Ajmer Sharif Deg is considered to be one of the largest community kitchens in the world and is an important part of the cultural heritage of Rajasthan and India. It promotes social equality and symbolizes the Chishti Sufi tradition of service and compassion.
The Ajmer Sharif Deg has had a profound impact on the lives of the people who visit the Dargah Sharif. It offers a sense of community and belonging, and provides a much-needed respite from the challenges of daily life. The langar also serves as a reminder of the power of faith and service to bring people together and promote harmony in society.
In addition to providing free meals, the Ajmer Sharif Deg also serves as a platform for promoting social causes and charity work. The volunteers who run the kitchen are involved in a range of social welfare activities, such as providing medical aid to the needy, organizing blood donation camps, and helping to build homes for the poor.
The Ajmer Sharif Deg is also a symbol of the interfaith harmony that exists in India. Visitors to the Dargah Sharif come from all faiths and backgrounds, and the kitchen serves as a unifying force that brings people together. The kitchen has also played a role in promoting tourism in the region, as people from all over the world visit Ajmer to experience the spiritual and cultural heritage of the place.
The tradition of serving free meals at the Ajmer Sharif Deg is rooted in the idea of seva, or selfless service, which is an important part of many spiritual traditions. By providing food to those in need, the volunteers at the kitchen are embodying the values of compassion, generosity, and service that are central to the Chishti Sufi tradition.
In conclusion, the Ajmer Sharif Deg is a remarkable example of how the power of faith and service can transform lives and communities. It serves as a beacon of hope, compassion, and interfaith harmony in a world that is often divided by differences. The kitchen has touched the lives of millions of people over the centuries, and its legacy continues to inspire people to come together and work towards a better world.
Information About Ajmer Sharif Deg:
- History: The tradition of serving free meals or langar at the Dargah Sharif dates back to the 12th century, when Moinuddin Chishti, the founder of the Chishti Sufi order, arrived in Ajmer from Persia. He is said to have started the practice of feeding the poor and needy in the community as a way of embodying the Sufi ideals of service and compassion.
- Capacity: The Ajmer Sharif Deg has the capacity to serve up to 1,25,000 people in a day, and during the annual Urs or festival of Moinuddin Chishti, the kitchen serves meals to more than 2,50,000 people.
- Volunteerism: The kitchen is run entirely by volunteers, who come from all walks of life and different parts of the country. Many of the volunteers are devotees of Moinuddin Chishti who come to Ajmer to offer their services at the Dargah Sharif.
- Equality: One of the unique features of the Ajmer Sharif Deg is that it serves food to people of all castes, religions, and backgrounds. This practice of breaking down barriers and promoting social equality is a hallmark of the Chishti Sufi tradition.
- Importance: The Ajmer Sharif Deg is considered to be one of the largest community kitchens in the world and is an important part of the cultural heritage of Rajasthan and India. It is visited by millions of people every year, and is a symbol of the rich spiritual and cultural traditions of the region.
- Funding: The kitchen is funded through donations from devotees and well-wishers, who contribute money, food, and other resources to support the langar. The Dargah Sharif has a dedicated department called the Anjuman-e-Sharief that manages the funds and resources for the langar and other charitable activities.
- Operation: The Ajmer Sharif Deg operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and provides free meals to anyone who visits the Dargah Sharif. The langar is managed by a team of volunteers who work in shifts to prepare the food, serve it, and clean up afterwards.
- Menu: The langar serves a vegetarian menu that includes dal, rice, chapatis, vegetables, and sweets. The food is prepared in large cauldrons or degs, which are heated over wood fires. The langar also provides tea and snacks to visitors.
- Significance: The Ajmer Sharif Deg is an important part of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Rajasthan and India, and is visited by millions of people every year. It is a symbol of the Chishti Sufi tradition, which emphasizes the importance of service, compassion, and social equality.
- Impact: The Ajmer Sharif Deg has had a profound impact on the lives of the people who visit the Dargah Sharif. It provides a sense of community and belonging, and offers a much-needed respite from the challenges of daily life. The langar also serves as a reminder of the power of faith and service to bring people together and promote harmony in society.
1 thought on “Ajmer Sharif Deg”